Proverbs 20:17. All scams include an enticement for someone to fall for the scam. Without an enticement, no one would fall for a scam. Many times scams are so obvious. Scams always start with an enticement of free money, free vacations, wealth, and power, but they are vague or do not mention specifically how you will get the objects of your desire. This has all the markings of a scam. A scam is basically where someone calls evil good. Our human nature is blinded by lies and scams that offer an enticement. It is in our nature to want something for nothing or even to be disobedient to get what we want. Satan uses this weakness of ours to entice us, and to lead us into sin and subsequent destruction (Proverbs 20:17, “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel”).

PROVERBS 20 BIBLE SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 20:17, “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”

Proverbs 29:12. Scams target people that desire to hear lies. I call this the “free money” syndrome. Millions of people search for free money on the internet. Other places people search for free money is in casinos or the lottery even though common sense says they will lose. People look for “free money” in “get rich” schemes, pyramid schemes, payday loans, and free Government giveaways. Not all money-making opportunities are bad, but money-making schemes full of lies are a scam. Many of us will listen to these lies that have no real hope of coming true. This is because we desire these lies to be true instead of seeking the truth. We will surround ourselves with liars who call evil good because we desire to hear lies (Proverbs 29:12, “If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked”).

BIBLE SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 29:12, “If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.”

Proverbs 13:11. Scams involve a proposal or bargain with an evil purpose. A good bargain or proposal is a deal that provides value for both parties. If either party has an evil purpose, it is a scam where at least one of the parties will be scammed. At least one party is calling evil good in a scam. Flee from situations where no value is being exchanged by either party. If someone offers you non-existent goods or deceives you with lies, this is a situation where you will be scammed (Col 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ”). On the other hand, if you yourself are not providing something of value or promoting something that is not true, you are the scammer that will never fully enjoy the fruits of your deceit (Proverbs 13:11, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase”).

BIBLE SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 13:11, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”

Ephesians 4:15. Scams target people that are totally self-centered. If in all your daily activities you focus on seeking truth and promoting brotherly love, you will not be scammed. When someone calls evil good, people will believe it because they are blinded by their own self-gratification. Most scams consist of an offer where you will supposedly get something and have to provide little or nothing. If you are a seeker of truth more than your own self-gratification, you will almost always discover that there are lies woven into a scammer’s offer.If you act in brotherly love in all situations, you will not be inclined to get involved in situations where you just take and not provide value. If you are a storekeeper, you will provide goods at a good price. If you are an employee, you will provide your best to your employer for a fair wage. If you need more income, you will find more work or cut down on your expenses. You should not be putting your hope in a lottery or “get rich” scheme. (Ephesians 4:13-15, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”).

EPHESIANS 4 BIBLE SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:15, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”